Cherish is my favorite word, and I cherish the ability of turning the routine into a beautiful moment. Nature creates in me, a spiritual and meditative time to bring peace, harmony and balance, into an otherwise ordinary day~ Mary Howell Cromer

Monday, July 27, 2015

So Much Beauty, So Much to Ponder Over~

I truly am not wimping out, and I can honestly say that with several major surgeries in my past, that this upcoming not so major, yet still serious surgery has me suddenly so very stressed, that I am becoming physically ill from it. I have found no peace, and I go to pre-op tomorrow and surgery is set for August 5...This is what I also posted on Facebook for family and friends to comment...What would you do in this same situation, truly, I need your input! Please take a minute and if you have any thoughts on this, I want to hear them. Reality... nothing is guaranteed! Friday a dear friend rang me up and took be by surprise. He had been praying for me and about my upcoming surgery. He shared with me about the possibility of Chiropractic help. It had crossed my mind and then I let it go months ago. Both surgery and Chiropractic manipulation have their risks, as in all medical issues. That being said, I did speak to both the Dr that my friend shared with me as well as a Dr who is a friend in the family unit. Both stated the same thing, no guarantees, but none with surgery either. Should this be you, would you at least have one, or two Chiropractic visits and then if that does no good then go ahead with the surgery as scheduled? Each Dr. suggested this and also stated the same as I have above, none of this has any guarantees and both could actually make things worse, however, more often than not, it does improve quality of life.

July 27 afternoon update.

As of this day and for a while as we wait to see how treatment goes, the surgery has been cancelled and we will determine what happens in the coming days. I felt some peace after seeing my Chiropractor. WOW the new technology is truly amazing.

Feeling positive~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slide show presentation after you have read the narratives~

The three juvenile Red-Shouldered Hawks are thriving well and moving closer to my property, and a couple of times, I think that I have already heard them in yard~

This one had a full crop, yet was yelling for food to be brought in, or maybe missing the other two ;)

Chicory grows along the roadside here~

Look at the lovely colour on this Red-Tailed Hawk. It is one of a pair and they have young ones, but I have not seen them yet, but can hear them when I visit the area close to home~

Some who follow my blog may remember that I got to see my first Mississippi Kite a few weeks ago. Well we had an alert sent the other day that a single juvenile had fledged and after one of many Dr. appointments, I took a quick ride to see. It was so lovely. I missed one shot though, for a few moments a Ruby Throated Hummingbird had flown high into the branches and hovered right in front of this one~

Both adults flew in and one delivered a de-winged Cicada to the young one~

Adult in flight~

Adult with Cicada~

The juvenile in flight, so, so beautiful and so rare for these parts of the country to see~

Sunflowers to make you smile~

Yesterday morning I took these images on my way to church. The sunshine was glowing on the earth as it rose higher in the sky. Here a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk~

Young fillies and colts playing together~

Lastly a young juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk on the rail at Foxhollow Farm, and then off it goes~

Have a beautiful day and a beautiful week and think good thoughts in my direction...

So beautiful each photo and mosaic....now about your surgery....I would try chiro and acupuncture but I have found both to help so I don't need surgery....can't hurt and may prevent the need for surgery....but only you know your body.

Dear Mary, Your post this week is extraordinarily beautiful. Each photograph a masterpiece. I don't know what to say about your upcoming surgery. It feels natural to suggest that you first try something less frightening than surgery. However, I have several friends who have benefited greatly from surgery and all of them wondered why they had waited so long. I will be thinking of you. ox, Gina

Dearest Gina, thank you dear one. You may have missed what I added to my post a bit after I had published it and wanted you to know...As of this day and for a while as we wait to see how treatment goes, the surgery has been cancelled and we will determine what happens in the coming days. I felt some peace after seeing my Chiropractor. WOW the new technology is truly amazing. Feeling positive~

First....the photography is outstanding as always Mary.Second...I have been through dozens of 'major' surgeries and I can understand your anxieties...but, I have found that for me, the anxieties and fears, stressing over it beforehand doesn't do the body OR mind good.Try and concentrated on something pleasing...get your mind off the upcoming surgery and let the days roll by with an inner calmness. Soon, it will be over and then you concentrate on recouping and enjoying life again to the fullest!!

I hope Mary that my Barn Swallow gave you a happy feeling. Whatever you decide I do agree with Anni. Try not to stress but focus on the many good things in your life, the things which you share with us all. Family, friends, nature and your way with words and photographs.

Stunning shots of the deer! And gorgeous shots of the raptors and flowers as always, too. And I loved the sweet, peaceful landscape shots and of the foals. I understand the anxiety you were feeling. I think surgery should always be a last resort, and I do think chiropractors can do wonders. There are probably other methods of pain relief for your situation as well (you neck, right?) that you could try. I am glad the surgery was postponed and you went to the chiropractor. Your friend was very wise to suggest it. Glad you are doing better, and are less stressed now.

I sure hope you continue with the this treatment and give your body some tender treatment for awhile. The stress is so bad for you and like you say, makes you ill. I'll keep you in my prayers. Beautiful photos my friend. Hugs, Diane

I love and enjoy each visitor to "Red Shouldered Hawks of Tingsgrove and Beyond." I truly appreciate those who have become followers to my blog and really am encouraged by the wonderful comments. I also enjoy leaving comments and would like to ask that you please make your blog word verification free! You still have top security settings and you still have control over the comments published. It would make it so much easier, if you would consider doing this. I switched several months ago and am thrilled with the results~

Canticle Of The Sun

~ My Heart Song ~

My desire is to share the very essence of nature through photography which awakens and refreshes me, in that I breathe more deeply, take heart in the stillness it brings, and cherish the fleeting moments in this delicate balance of the rhythmic poetry and whispers of life and always thirst for more. From 9 years of age, I have enjoyed wildlife and nature. That is when my awareness of it's beauty and mystery began to form.

Back in the late 1970's my husband and I became interested in Raptors. We obtained a Federal Permit to Rehab and Release Birds of Prey. We also worked with the Louisville Zoo Administrator Dr. William Foster on this program. I later joined Kentucky Wildlife Line and was covered by a blanket permit, to rehab and release small mammals, for another 8 years. In 1996, I first took notice of a beautiful pair of Red-Shouldered hawks that had nested on our 2 acres, and that was a gift, that just keeps on giving.

One day I was on Google wondering if anyone else out there loved Red-Shouldered Hawks, like I do. I came across a single site...one done by Vickie Henderson. I had never heard of a blog, but she introduced me and encouraged me to begin my own. That was in June of 2009. My blog "Red-Shouldered Hawks of Tingsgrove and Beyond", is just one way to share the images from my world.

Normandy Life

Mosaic Monday

Saturday's Critters

Wild Bird Wednesday

Visitors

Having loved horses my entire life, I began creating these Equestrians in the late 1990's, prior to the now famed Gallopalooza horses which later came on the scene. Tingsgrove Equestrians are made using layers of upholstery fabrics that I blend together and then apply to molded forms. Many of these have been sold around the country and shipped as far as Europe~

Nature and photography go hand in hand in my life. My husband has done many nature watercolurs in the past, though, retired from painting these days. It seemed only natural to share one of my favorites on my nature blog~Two Hummingbirds~